Catcher knows it's unsafe at home

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TEMPE, Ariz. Yorvit Torrealba has been watching in horror what's happening in his native Venezuela.

Again.

“It's been tough the last few years in Venezuela,” said Torrealba, a veteran major league catcher in Angels camp on a minor league deal. “I love my country, but I have to admit it's kind of dangerous.”

It was just five years ago that Torrealba learned firsthand about the dangers of Venezuela when his son Eduardo, who was 9 at the time, was kidnapped. The horrifying ordeal lasted three days before Eduardo was returned safely.

Torrealba said the kidnappers grabbed the boy on his way to school, along with Torrealba's brother-in-law and a friend who was working as a bodyguard.

Torrealba, who was with the Colorado Rockies in Houston at the time, got the phone call around 7:30 a.m. and was in Venezuela by that afternoon.

He said the captors asked for $500,000 before dropping their demand to $150,000 and then to $60,000. Torrealba said he and his wife had agreed to pay the money.

The kidnappers, believing the money was on the way, then let their three hostages go, Torrealba said. Eduardo was able to call his mother and tell her he was safe before any money changed hands.

Kidnappings in Venezuela are far more common than in the United States, particularly among the families of major leaguers who have money.

The latest outbreak of violent anti-government demonstrations in the troubled country has not affected Torrealba's family, though. He said he talks to his mother every day, and she and his other family members are out of harm's way.

Torrealba still suffers watching what's happening in the streets of Caracas, though.

“They are basically killing each other,” Torrealba said. “It's sad. I wish I could do something about it, but there's nothing anybody can do.”

NO WAIT FOR TROUT

When New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner agreed Sunday to an extension starting in 2015, it highlighted a little-known rule change that would allow the Angels to sign Mike Trout to an extension before opening day without having it count against the Competitive Balance Tax for 2014.

As long as a player has his salary set for the current year, contracts for future years do not count against the current year's CBT payroll.

The threshold used to be opening day, which in the past led teams to hide deals that were done. The most notable example was Adrian Gonzalez's deal in 2010.

What does that mean for Trout?

As soon as the Angels have set Trout's 2014 salary, which should happen within the next week, they can sign him for 2015, which wouldn't affect the 2014 CBT payroll.

However, if the new deal starts in 2014, it would count against the current year CBT, which is why it seems unlikely the Angels are considering that with Trout.

The Angels are only $15 million under the $189 million threshold for 2014, and Trout's deal is expected to have an average annual value well above $20 million.

Owner Arte Moreno, approached Monday while he watched batting practice, did not comment on the negotiations, but did indicate no deal was imminent.

NO DISTRACTIONS

Mike Scioscia isn't worried about Trout's head, even as dollar signs and the prospect of a life-changing contract are swirling around him.

“There is no doubt there are potential distractions there with what's happening and he hasn't flinched,” Scioscia said. “He's very grounded. I think he has everything sorted out the way a young player has to have things sorted out. He just wants to play baseball. He's doing a great job of that.”

Scioscia compared Trout to a young Fernando Valenzuela, who burst onto the big league scene and found himself immediately under the microscope. Scioscia said Trout seems to have the perfect perspective on the attention he gets.

“With Mike, if nobody was paying attention to him, he'd be fine with it,” Scioscia said. “If everybody was paying attention, he's fine with it. He's extremely focused about what he wants to do on the field.”

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